The Boston news-letter, and city record, Part 30

Author: Bowen, Abel, 1790-1850
Publication date: 1825
Publisher: [Boston] : Abel Bowen
Number of Pages: 850

USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > The Boston news-letter, and city record > Part 30

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Here then, it is apparent, that every man, who is compos mentis, from his Majesty on the throne,-the Presi- dent of the United States, down to the two-penny dealer in barley candy, are provided with daily intellectual aliment from the press.

In reviewing the Newspapers of the Union, they are found to possess the best specimens of writing, in the Eng- lish language ;- indeed, in any lan- guage. They embrace a perfect gen- eral and local chronology of events ; and an extract, at least, of every thing worthy of remembrance, in literature, the arts, and the sciences.

With all these excellences, adapted both to the genius, standing, and per- ception of every order of intelligent beings, in civilized life, -- newspapers are imperceptibly assisting in a mate- rial degree, in forming the character of the young,-exciting noble sentiments, -inspiring virtuous principles, or aid- ing the developement of the most ex- alted faculties of the soul. To the

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AND CITY RECORD, APRIL 1, 1826.

aged, they are invaluable ; the old man invigorates his declining age by the reminiscences and constant associ- ation which are recalled, through his paper. His debilitated body - his gouty feet-the dimness of his eyes, -- nay, the ingratitude of human beings, are forgotten in the long perusal of a speech in Congress

Above all other considerations, the thought that our laws are promulgated, our characters guarded, and our LIB- ERTIES protected by the strong arm of a free press, should excite the noblest feelings of the heart-an unequivocal thankfulness-a patronage which shall forever maintain the existence of these invaluable heralds of public good, while nations have an abiding place, --- while man breathes the vital air.

RECOLLECTIONS OF CHARACTERS. (Continued from p. 166.)

JAMES T. AUSTIN.

"James T. Austin, Esq. whom you enquire about so particularly, is small in stature, but large in soul. His face is well moulded,-long, but exceeding- ly expressive, and exhibits the man of energy. It is strongly marked with lines, has a full piercing eye, and some- thing of a sandy complexion. Perhaps Mr. Austin's features are admired, when under the excitement of some important debate, more than in com- mon conversation. There can be no mistake about his talents - which, by the way, are altogether of a business order, and the whole course of his pro- fessional life has been distinguished for decision, correctness and dispatch."

JACOB PERKINS.

" Jacob Perkins, who is now mak- ing such prodigious interest with steam, in London, under the patronage of the British Government, is not a native of Boston, as you seem to suppose, and as has been frequently represented ; his long residence in this city, proba- bly gave rise to the assertion that he was born here. Mr. Perkins was born in Newburyport, July 9th, 1766. The first anecdote related of him, il- lustrative of a mechanical genius, is

this. Before he had learned his letters, he somehow got possession of a watch, which he took to pieces with particu- lar care, in order to ascertain what made the noise.

At twelve years of age, he became an apprentice to Mr. Davis, a silver- smith, of Newburyport, but before he had completed three years of the stip- ulated period, the master died, and he proceeded on his own account, in the manufacture of gold beads. Next, he turned his attention to making shoe- buckles, which he carried to great per- fection, by his ingenuity, and thus af- forded them at a much cheaper rate than other workmen.

When only twenty one years old, he was employed by the government of Massachusetts, to make the dies to stamp the copper coin, which the state then had a right to do, in a mint of its own. In his twenty fourth year, he invented a masterly machine for cut- ting and heading nails, all in one ope- ration By embarking with two un- principled men, for the erection of a large factory, soon after, he was strip- ped of every farthing of property.

His next undertaking, was the in- vention of the famous stereotype check plate, for stamping bank-bills, which has never been successfully counter- feited. The hardening of steel and the compressibility of water, come in the order of his inventions. He has resided in Philadelphia, New York and Boston, and in each place, he has left some durable monument of his useful genius.

Since his residence in England, the invention of the steam gun is the most conspicuous discovery. We are una- ble to say in what way he has engaged with government, or how long he will remain. The general remark, con- cerning the expression of Mr. Perkins's face, is that he exhibits uncommon simplicity of manners.

He has a strong constitution, an athi- letic frame and uniformly good health, and is short, as well as thick-set-and although sixty years old, appears to possess all the vigour of body and mind, which have characterised this

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THE BOSTON NEWS-LETTER.

self taught philosopher, through a long and useful life. His forehead is high rather inclined to baldness,-his face large, and expressivo of deep thought- fulness ; - and his hair considerably white. In dress, like geniusses of ev- ery order, he is neither remarkably neat nor remarkably slovenly.

I have never heard of his having a family, and I am therefore inclined to believe he has thus far passed the life of single blessedness. This, by the wav, is rather out of course : there is a Birmingham saying -- " the more ge- nius, the more children."

(To be continued.)

MR. EDITOR .- Will you have the goodness to furnish a reader with the biography of Sir Isaac Coffin, a British Admiral .. He was a native of Boston, and I am therefore the more anxious to ascertain how he became a member of Parliament. S. S. G.

Note. We are obliged to ask the favour of some one who is better ac quainted with the history of Sir Isaac's family, than ourselves, to answer the above questions, which will be as high- ly interesting to the editor, as to the gentleman who wishes the information

BOSTON NEWSPAPERS. (Continued from p. 166.)

THE INDEPENDENT ADVERTISER.

This was the seventh paper that ap- peared in Boston, and was first pub- lished Tuesday January 4, 1748, by Rogers and Fowle. It was printed in Queen street, and its continuance was short, being published only about two years. The Independent Advertiser was of a political cast, although the publishers say, " for ourselves we de- clare we are of no party." It was supplied with well written essays, by gentlemen associated for that purpose, among whom it is said, was the Hon Samuel Adams. This association con- sisted of whigs, who advocated the rights of the people against those meas- ures of the government, which were supposed to infringe upon the privi- leges of the province secured by char-

ter. They strove to rouse the people of the colony to maintain their rights. Rogers & Fowle dissolved their co- partnership in April, 1750, and the Independent Advertiser ceased with their connexion.

The eighth news-paper, which was issued in this city, was " The Boston Gazette or Weekly Advertiser," com- menced by Samuel Kneeland, in 1753, 's before stated. This was the second paper that received the title of Boston Gazette.

THE BOSTON GAZETTE OR COUNTRY JOURNAL.

This paper was commenced, April 7, 1755, by Benj Edes and John Gill, and was the third bearing the title of Boston Gazette. It was first printed in King street, near the east end of the Town House, and afterwards " in a Printing House which had been oc- cupied by Rogers and Fowle, in Pris- on Lane,"* This was the ninth paper which had been established in Boston.

Several of the gentlemen, who had associated to write for the Indepen- dent Advertiser, joined by some others, encouraged the establishment of this paper ; they were the editors of its literary department. and the purvey- ors of its political information. Dur- ing the long controversy, between Great Britain and her American colo- nies, no paper on the continent took a more active part in defence of the country, or more ably supported its rights than this Boston Gazette; its patrons were alert and ever at their posts, and they had a primary agency in events, which led to our national independence.

A provincial stamp act, or, as it was called, "An act for granting to his Majesty several Duties on Vellum, Parchment and Paper, for two years, towards the defraying the Charge of this Government," was passed by the legislature of the province, a few months before Edes and Gill began the publication of the Boston Gazette,

* About the year 1760, it became a common custom in Boston, to print all newspapers on a whole sheet .- Thomas's Hist. of Printing.

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AND CITY RECORD, APRIL 1, 1826.

and it took place the first of May fol- lowing. The act embraced newspa pers, which were to pay one half pen- w for each paper. Of the several newspapers which had been establish- ed in Boston previously to this period, only three were now in being, viz. The News Letter, The Evening-Post, and this new Boston Gazette. These were all printed from May 1st, 1775, to April 30, 1757. on paper stamped by the colonial government. The figure of the stamp was round, of the size of half a dollar, the words " HALF PENNY. HALF PENNY," were inclosed between two circular lines, and formed the border ; in the centre was a bird, probably meant for an eagle, on the wing ; this device was stamped with red ink on a corner of the sheet."

In 1768, after the death of Samuel Kneeland, Edes and Gill occupied his printing house where the two former Boston Gazettes, and The New Eng- land Weekly Journal had been printed. There they continued to publish the Gazette of which they were proprie- tors, until April 1775, when the revo- lutionary war commenced.

The publication of the Gazette was suspended from April, 1775, to the 5th of June following, when Edes hav- ing set up a press at Watertown, re- newed the printing of this paper, and continued it until November, 1776, when he returned to Boston, and again published the Gazette in Queen street. Gill had no concern in printing the Gazette after April 1775; but in 1776, he began another paper, entitled The Continental Journal.

Edes's sons, Benjamin and Peter,

* Fleet, printer of The Evening-Post, the first week he used this stamped paper, published the following, which may serve as a specimen of his talent at rhyming, viz.

"On the Pretty Bird in the margin.

The little, pretty Picture here O' th' Side looks well enough, Though nothing to the Purpose is "Fwill serve to set it off."

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You must c'en take it, or you'l have no print."

were, some time after his return to Boston, concerned with him in print- ing the Gazette. In 1784, Edes and his eldest son Benjamin, only, were together, and published this paper in Cornhill, No. 42, under the firm of Edes and Son. The Gazette was printed afterward in Marlborough street, and then again in King street, now State street.

Some time after, Edes printed and published it on his own account in Kilby street. But the Gazette no more " thundered in the capitol." Its for- mer writers were silent, and age and infirmity overtook its publisher. The paper, however, lingered along, unno- ticed by its rivals, and alinost by the public, to whom it had been a faithful and useful servant, until 1798. Forty- five years having completed their rev- olutions since its first publication ; Edes at this time took his farewell of the public, and the Gazette expired.

(To be continued.)

THOMAS JEFFERSON.

A correspondent of the Providence American states that Mr. Jefferson's Lottery is to go into operation as soon as the property is appraised. The property to be disposed of, is the Al- bemarle tract, of 7 or 8000 acres, worth ten dollars an acre ; a merchant mill, and several saw and grist mills, on the Fluvana river ; the Bedford tract, of 1500 acres of fine tobacco land, worth twenty dollars an acre, and the natural bridge in Rockbridge county. The Monticello estate is not to be sold, unless necessary for raising the adequate sum, in that case reserving his life estate. His slaves are not to. be sold by lottery, but by private sale, to persons, in the neighbourhood.

The following is an extract of a letter received by a gentleman of l'e- tersburg, Virginia, in answer to one addressed to Mr. Jefferson, upon the subject of his late application to the legislature of that state. It is publish- ed in the Petersburg Intelligencer.

Monticello, March 2d, 1826. "I thank you, kind sir, for your very friendly letter of February 22d. -it supposes in me, claims on the at-

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176

THE BOSTON NEWS-LETTER,

tention of my country to which I have no pretensions. I happened to be born in times which required, from all its citizens, every aid they could ren- der, and gave full value to even the smallest which any could render. Those within the reach of my faculties, have been fully remunerated by the honours and compensations which my fellow citizens have bestowed upon me. A refusal of my late request would have been that of a favor only, not of a debt ; and so I should have viewed it. The granting it has con- ferred on me a benefit which I shall ever be bound to acknowledge with gratitude."

Monroe's Claim .- The chairman of the select committee, to whom the subject of Mr. Monroe's Claims had been referred, reported a bill au- thorising the Secretary of Treasury to pay to James Monroe, the sum of fif- teen thousand five hundred and thirty- three dollars and thirty-three cents, with interest from the 3d day of De- cember, 1810, until paid.

The Items of his claim are, detention expenses in France, $2,750. Contin- gent expenses in do. always allowed, $1,495 85. Money paid, $350. Con- tingent expenses in England, $437 68. Extraordinary expenses of detention in England, $10,500.

EXECUTION OF WITCHES.

The first person, on record, who was tried for witchcraft, in Old Ply- mouth Colony, was Mrs. Mary Ing- ham, the wife of Thomas Ingham, of Scituate, in March, 1676, who was in- dicted for bewitching one Mehitable Wood, but she was not convicted. In 1648, much earlier, we find that Mar- garet Jones, of Charlestown, was tried for a witch and executed. She was the first ever executed for that crime, in New England. During the year 1651, Mary Parsons, of Springfield, was tried for witchcraft and murder ; of the first charge she was acquitted, but executed for the latter. The follow- ing May, 1652, her husband, Hugh Parsons, was tried and fortunately ac- quitted.

ANCIENT DISCIPLINE.

We are gratified to find Mr. An- drews, the editor of the Salem Gazette, so active in preserving things of the olden time. The following, from the Gazette, shows him an antiquarian.

The following cases are true copies from the Court Records :---

" The 15th Quarter Court att Sa- lem held 31th of 7th mo. 1639.

" Being present Collonell Endecott, Mr. Ema. Downing, Mr. Wm. Hath- orne, Mr. Edward Holliocke, (It. Mr. Humphreys Esq. came after)

" The worp'l Mr. Em: Downing's complaint agt. Tho. Sams for mis- demeanors-viz : 1. in speaking to his maid seruant without master or mis- tris's consent. 2. in coming unseason- ably on Lo: day & in nights. 3. in being contracted without consent of mr. or mistris, by mr. Allen wth their lyes (in presence of Jno. Balch and mr. Ja: Downing.) The sentence of Court is, viz : To sitt in the stocks an hower to day & bound in Recogniz. to owe to our soueraigne Lo: the king 20 1b. to be of good behau'r vntill next Court."

" Mr. William Pester publickly ad- monished in Court for his excessive drinking, appearing in p. 45, 46, 47 and 48, 51, 52, of our waste by too evident testimony and haueing him privatly admonished had y't place in proverbs being often reproved, etc. recomeded."

" Geo. Dill fined 40s for drunkenes and to stand att the meeting house doar next Lecture day, with a Clefte sticke vpon his Tong & a pap. vpon his hatt subscribed for gross premedi- tated Lying. he offers mr. Hum- phreys for security for his fine of 40s."

At a meeting of The " Massachu- setts Scientific Library Association," on the 18th inst, the following gentle- men were elected officers for the year ensuing .- President, William Sturgis. Clerk, Daniel Treadwell. Treasur- er, Joseph W. Revere. Librarian, E. Hale, Jr. M. D. Trustees, the President, Clerk, Treasurer, and Li- brarian, ex officio-and Samuel Per-

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AND CITY RECORD, APRIL 1, 1826.

kins, Jacob Bigelow, M. D. Warren Colburn, George B. Emerson, John Lowell, Jr. Solomon Willard and Da- vid #Toody. After the organization, the following gentlemen were chosen a committee to obtain further subscrip- tions :- H. A. S. Dearborn, Abbot Lawrence, S. D. Harris, F. C. Lowell, John Ware, M.D. Joseph Coolidge, Jr. Solomon Willard, Gerry Fairbanks. George Darracott, John Doggett, J. T. Buckingham and E. A. Lester.

BOSTON EYE INFIRMARY.

At a meeting of the Subscribers to the Boston Eye Infirmary, held at the Exchange Coffee House, on Monday Evening, the following gentlemen were chosen Offieers of the Institu- tion :

Edw. Tuckerman, Esq. President. L. M. Sargent, Esq. Vice President. Wm. B. Reynolds, Secretary.

B. P. Tilden, Esq. Treasurer.

R. D. Tucker, Esq. Dr. E. H. Rob- bins, Rev. John Codman, R. G Shaw, Henry Sargent, Henry Rice, Nath'l. G. Snelling, James C. Dunn, and T. C. Amory, Directors.

MUNICIPAL COURT.

March Term, 1826. The court closed its session on Saturday last, during which it was occupied with various trials of interest and import ance, pronounced the following among other sentences, viz.

George Lynes, for receiving of Mi- chael Morrison, a large quantity of silver plate, stolen by the latter from the store of William Moulton, of New buryport, and brought to this city- 10 days solitary and two years hard labour in the State Prison.

Morrison was convicted of the prin- cipal felony at the last term of the court, and was sentenced to ten days solitary and three years hard labour in the State Prison.

John Gibson, convicted of breaking and entering the warehouse of Benja- min Pray on the night of the 8th iust. and stealing goods to the amount of $300, and of three other aggravated

larcenies, was sentenced, as a common and notorious thief, to fifteen days solitary and fourteen years hard labour in the State Prison.

Robert Riley, convicted on the in- dictment with Gibson for breaking into Mr. Pray's store, ten days solitary, and five years hard labour in the State Prison.

These several convicts have hereto- fore been subjected to confinement in the State Prison, for various offences.

William Dunbar, for entering the dwelling house of George Maunder, in the night of the 4th inst. and putting Sarah Maunder in fear ; and also for an assault, with an intent to commit a rape, ten days solitary, and two years in the State Prison. He was a jour- neyman baker in this city, and had hitherto been of fair character.

Elijah Bean was convicted on his own confession, of receiving stolen goods, being a small part of the prop- erty of Mr. Moulton, of Newburyport. Being his first offence, he was sentenc- ed to hard labour in the House of Cor- rection for one year.

A young woman, for stealing in a family, where she was employed as a domestic servant -- six months hard la- bour in the House of Correction.

Thirteen indictments were returned against Joseph Cutler and Richard White, for larcenies alleged to have been committed in different stores in this city, were ordered to be continued to the next term.

Police Court .- Yesterday morning a woman was brought up for examina- tion, charged with being a common drunkard. She stated her name was Maria Benson-that she belonged to Portsmouth-that she had walked all the way from Northampton, where she had been to see her daughter -- that she had lost the use of all her limbs except her two legs, and if put into the work-house could not do any thing - and promised, if the judge would let her go, she would leave the city ime- diately and never again come into it. The court granted the request on con-

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THE BOSTON NEWS-LETTER,

dition that she would quit the place in one hour. After inquiring the way to Charlestown bridge she left the court in a very grateful frame of mind.

Riel, an Irishman, was next arraign- ed on a similar charge. He was tak- en up the night before on the steps of the Rev. Mr. Ware's Meeting House, and transported in a hand-cart to a place of security during the night. He said he belonged to Dedham, and promised to leave the town immedi- ately, if the court would excuse him ; but as it appeared that he had not lost the use of all his limbs except his two legs, the court ordered him to the house of correction for one month.

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CITY A2003D.

IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN.

March 23 .- The Committee on the petition of the Hose Company, pray- ing that they may have command of one of the Engines, reported that said Company have command of Engine No. S. Read and accepted.

Resolutions of Engine Companies No. 1, No. 2, and No. 10, declaring that they will not play any water into Engine No. 11, nor receive any from her at any fire, with a communication from the Captain of the latter company (No.10) protesting against the proceed- ings of the majority, were referred to the Committee on the fire department.

A communication from the Suffolk Fire Society, offering their services to take charge of any Engine in the city which may be without a Company until a Company can be formed, was read and committed.

Resolved, that the Mayor be re- quested to present the thanks of this board to the several fire societies and other persons who have volunteered their services to take charge of the Engines which have been given up, and to render other important services to carry the system of the Fire De- partment into effective operation.

An order was concurred in assign- ing Monday the 10th of April, at S o'clock, P. M. for the choice of Per- manent Assessors.

IN COMMON COUNCIL.

March 27 .- Present, the President and forty six members.

A communication from the Auditor of Accounts accompanied with his monthly exhibit of appropriations and expenses, was read and referred to the Committee of Finance,-upon which they reported-That there be added to certain appropriations, as follows, viz : the appropriation for paving and repairs of streets, the sum of $500 ; for lamps, oil and superintendence, $200 ; for the internal health depart- ment, $1500; and towards the engine house on Pemberton's Hill, $418 44 and there be withdrawn from certain appropriations, as follows, viz: from the appropriation for the repairs of public buildings, $500 ; from the city watch, $200 ; from the house of cor- rection, $1500, and from primary schools, $418 44. Being twice read, passed and sent up for concurrence.

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The Boston news-letter, and city record, Part 30

Author: Bowen, Abel, 1790-1850 Publication date: 1825 Publisher: [Boston] : Abel Bowen Number of Pages: 850

Author: Bowen, Abel, 1790-1850
Publication date: 1825
Publisher: [Boston] : Abel Bowen
Number of Pages: 850